Fact Check: Did Trump reveal he used AI WH Golden Eagle image because the real one was stolen?
WASHINGTON, DC: After announcing the addition of a golden eagle ornament to the White House exterior to commemorate the 250th birthday of the United States, a rumor began circulating on online platforms claiming that President Donald Trump revealed he had posted an AI-generated image of it because the original had been stolen.
Let us analyze and fact-check the claim.
Claim: Trump's White House golden eagle was stolen
According to the viral claim, Trump revealed that he had to use AI to show the massive golden eagle on the White House balcony because the real one, handcrafted by world-famous blacksmith Jeb Narroo in Maryland, was stolen when Antifa hijacked the truck transporting it to the Freedom 250 fair.
The post states that the FBI and Kash Patel are already on the case. Special Detective Jon Raebro confirmed that the company used an unmarked Swift truck to avoid detection, and Trump didn’t mince words: “It was Antifa. You can put money on it.”
While many appeared to believe the claim to be true, others mocked and dismissed it, prompting a fact check.
Fact Check: The claim was posted by a parody account
The claim, however, is false, as there is no evidence that Trump made such an announcement.
A Google search for the claim yielded no credible reports from prominent news outlets about the president making such a revelation, which, if true, would likely have been widely reported.
There are no official statements, announcements, or press conferences from the president or the White House confirming the alleged theft.
Additionally, a search for the claim revealed that it was originally posted by a Facebook parody account called ‘America’s Last Line of Defense.’ Therefore, the claim is rated as satire and was made for engagement.
A fact check by Grok confirmed this, stating, “The post's core claim is false. No golden eagle sculpture was stolen by Antifa or anyone else; the story originated as satire from parody accounts like America's Last Line Of Defense.”
Trump unveils proposed golden eagle ornament
On June 30, Trump shared a photo on Truth Social showing the proposed new addition, featuring the golden ornament hanging from the Truman Balcony.
The image was accompanied by the caption, “A Golden Gift to the White House for its 250th Birthday Year!”
The proposed golden eagle is the latest addition to Trump's broader effort to reshape the White House through an ambitious renovation campaign.
